Former FBI Director James Comey on Thursday began his highly-anticipated testimony before the US Senate Intelligence Committee that is investigating possible ties between Russia and the 2016 election campaign of US President Donald Trump.
He used his opening remarks to say that the administration had defamed him and told "lies, plain and simple" when explaining the reasons he was fired, CNN reported.
Comey indicated that he was angry that Trump trashed his reputation after firing him.
The former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation entered the Senate around 10 a.m and sat, expressionless, in his chair while the committee leaders made their own statements.